John Lackey and Francisco Rodriguez did it last season, Livan Hernandez and Jaret Wright in 1997, Derek Jeter in 1996 and Fernando Valenzuela in 1980.
And, perhaps, Michael Cuddyer will do it in 2003.
"He's a superstar in the making," Twins first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz said.
The Twins hope Cuddyer becomes the latest in a long list of rookies who step forward to play a significant role on a World Series championship team.
Cuddyer, the ninth overall pick in 1997, technically is a rookie. He fell just short of using up his first-year eligibility last season. Now he's a leading candidate for the American League Rookie of the Year Award this season, partly because of the experience he gained a year ago, when a strong September resulted in seven postseason starts.
That makes Cuddyer a seasoned rookie, if such a thing exists.
"The thing about the playoffs that surprised me was how much it felt like a regular game," Cuddyer said. "We only had a day off between the regular season and postseason, and we stayed with our same routine. The media attention was a little more, and the games were a little more important. But as far as the day-in and day-out activities, they were the same. It allowed me to continue the same focus."
Teams have knocked themselves out grabbing the best players money can buy. Veterans such as David Cone, Craig Counsell and Jim Leyritz have fortified their careers based on their ability to perform in October.
Cuddyer exhibited some of that same poise last season.
"You have your rare exception of a superstar rookie who contends for an MVP, like Fred Lynn," Twins roving instructor and future Hall of Famer Paul Molitor said. "Generally, it's about fitting into an already good team and making a contribution and being in the right place in the right time."
Some do far more than fit in.
The Yankees' Alfonso Soriano will never have to wait for a table in any New York restaurant after his performance in the 2001 playoffs. At one point he was being scolded for rookie mistakes. Then he hit a two-run homer in Game 4 of the ALCS that pretty much finished off Seattle. And he won Game 5 of the World Series with a great defensive stop in the 11th inning and RBI single in the 12th .
"For a kid with his limited experience, he knows situations," Yankees manager Joe Torre said then.
Lackey became the first rookie pitcher in 93 years to win Game 7 of the World Series last fall when he helped the Angels beat San Francisco 4-1. His only team success before then was a Junior College World Series championship.
Twins players and staff believe that Cuddyer also has the makeup to succeed in pressure situations. General Manager Terry Ryan has frequently told the media that Cuddyer has "plus" makeup, a scouting term to describe that Cuddyer has exceptional discipline, poise and willingness to work.
That was evident in 2002 from September through the end of the regular season, when Cuddyer hit .321 and moved in front of Bobby Kielty and Dustan Mohr on the right field depth chart. Manager Ron Gardenhire decided to start Cuddyer, who was called up from the minors just before the Aug. 31 deadline for setting playoff rosters, in seven consecutive playoff games.
Cuddyer responded by batting .385 in the division series before skidding to .200 in the ALCS. Cuddyer, who hit .259 with four homers and 13 RBI in 41 games last season, has promising power and has improved his defense in right field. In addition to playing right field, Cuddyer can fill in at third, first and designated hitter. The Twins have even talked of using him at second base in emergency situations.
Cuddyer ignored an awful start at the plate this spring. By mid-March he was spraying line drives with more regularity. He didn't worry about his early spring slump -- just as he wasn't overwhelmed with being in the postseason.
"I don't know if there was a sense of urgency to the playoffs," Cuddyer said. "We have so many guys here who can step up and do the job. I feel like all I have to do is go out there and play. I hope I can contribute. If I'm not able to, someone else will pick me up."
The Twins had a rookie help them win it all before, when second baseman Chuck Knoblauch energized them in 1991. Since Knoblauch was on a good team, it was easier for the coaching staff to protect him when he struggled during the season. And Knoblauch was there for them in the postseason, batting .350 in the ALCS and .308 in the World Series.
"He went through some tough times," said Gardenhire, a coach on the 1991 team. "There were times when Tom Kelly would take Knoblauch out for the last two or three innings of the game because he thought Knoblauch was taking some of his at-bats out to second base and we were all about catching the ball then.
"You have those moments. Knoblauch had them, and look where he went in this game. You have those things, and when it happens you try to not make a big deal of it."
The Twins haven't hidden the fact that they hope Cuddyer is there for them in October, as Knoblauch once was.
"I don't worry about Michael Cuddyer," Gardenhire said. "I try to put [rookies] in enough situations where they can succeed, and eventually they will take off on their own.
"Cuddyer is in a situation where I may try to protect him when it looks like he may be putting too much pressure on himself -- that's why we have Dustin Mohr and others. They are all going to play. But I don't worry about him knuckling under. Too many guys can play on this team."
